5.2/10
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Appearance 10
Aroma 5
Flavor 3
Texture 6
Overall 5
Looks can be deceiving. I had this recently hand pulled and it looked promising, Very dark color, little carbonation, white creamy head. The flavor was WAY too smokey which covered an otherwise weak malt and hop flavor. Nothing here but texture and look. Disappointing to say the least.
Tried
from Can
on 26 Aug 2006
at 22:04
4.8/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 4
Texture 2
Overall 4
Draught half pint at the brewery with Muzzlehatch on 3/12/06
Cloudy, yet still somewhat transluscent raspberry-red colored body, with small bubbles rising, has a pinkish, yellow cream-flecked head that is wispy and well-retained, providing light lacing.
The nose is a modest, but still rather mild, lactic acid from the sour mash, with dry, raspberry seeds, slightly pulpy, with just a smidgeon of oak chip butteriness. Nearly no sweetness, no real maltiness and seemingly quite attenuated. Aerated and fruity, but could stand to be a good deal more intense, or at least complex and tart. No alcohol noted in the aroma.
Flavor begins with a watery, pulpy-chalky mix of dry, raspberry pulp, heavy minerals, light butter and a pathetic attempt at sourness. The chalky, yeasty, mineralic qualities immediately have a dulling effect on the palate, while the dry, heavily attenuated raspberries provide no relief from the dry and watery feel. Some sweet raspberry juice would go a long way, as would some real sourness to clear the palate. I’m afraid, however, that even with those additions, the heavy wateriness would still be too much. The very light, buttery-wood notes just seem dull and....buttery. No alcohol, no residual sugars, watery, pulpy texture.
Cloudy, yet still somewhat transluscent raspberry-red colored body, with small bubbles rising, has a pinkish, yellow cream-flecked head that is wispy and well-retained, providing light lacing.
The nose is a modest, but still rather mild, lactic acid from the sour mash, with dry, raspberry seeds, slightly pulpy, with just a smidgeon of oak chip butteriness. Nearly no sweetness, no real maltiness and seemingly quite attenuated. Aerated and fruity, but could stand to be a good deal more intense, or at least complex and tart. No alcohol noted in the aroma.
Flavor begins with a watery, pulpy-chalky mix of dry, raspberry pulp, heavy minerals, light butter and a pathetic attempt at sourness. The chalky, yeasty, mineralic qualities immediately have a dulling effect on the palate, while the dry, heavily attenuated raspberries provide no relief from the dry and watery feel. Some sweet raspberry juice would go a long way, as would some real sourness to clear the palate. I’m afraid, however, that even with those additions, the heavy wateriness would still be too much. The very light, buttery-wood notes just seem dull and....buttery. No alcohol, no residual sugars, watery, pulpy texture.
Tried
on 17 Mar 2006
at 10:57
7.8/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
Draught pint at the brewpub on 3/12/06 with Muzzlehatch
Extremely dark mahogany/ebony colored body, which does settle out with some clarity, though not transparent, with deep maple-brown hues and a bit of chartreuse on the edges. Tan head is well-retained and of medium size, providing light lacing.
The nose gives off a light chocolate milk note, followed by anise, raisins and some moderately drying hay on the end. Very creamy, with only an oiliness up front, that is fully subsumed by the sweet, but not heavy malts.
The flavor starts out with a dash of anise and chocolate-honey and quickly a grapey, vinous roast enters the mix, really spoiling the delicate chocolate-honey thing it has going. However, it’s very short lived. Whatever the offender, the palate becomes accustomed to it even before the end of the first sip. Quickly, grainy barley, a fair amount of German hop spiciness and only a light and very dry coffee note round out the flavor. Further sips really delve in to the hop dryness, with a rugged, yet crisp flavor that mixes well with the delicate chocolate and honey. Light yeast is apparent on the end, adding a rewarding fresh element to the beer which really makes the fresh tasting hops shine. I first thought, "A dark pils? What the hell is that??" And though Barry said it was just their name for their schwarzbier, I don’t feel like this one was much like the schwarzbiers I’ve had. Very delicate, much more attenuated and less roast and heavy chocolate driven than most I’ve had. What it does remind me of, is my first experience with schwarzbier, the charming Kostrizer. Texture is lightly fluffy, without being thin, while no alcohol is apparent and carbonation is medium.
Extremely dark mahogany/ebony colored body, which does settle out with some clarity, though not transparent, with deep maple-brown hues and a bit of chartreuse on the edges. Tan head is well-retained and of medium size, providing light lacing.
The nose gives off a light chocolate milk note, followed by anise, raisins and some moderately drying hay on the end. Very creamy, with only an oiliness up front, that is fully subsumed by the sweet, but not heavy malts.
The flavor starts out with a dash of anise and chocolate-honey and quickly a grapey, vinous roast enters the mix, really spoiling the delicate chocolate-honey thing it has going. However, it’s very short lived. Whatever the offender, the palate becomes accustomed to it even before the end of the first sip. Quickly, grainy barley, a fair amount of German hop spiciness and only a light and very dry coffee note round out the flavor. Further sips really delve in to the hop dryness, with a rugged, yet crisp flavor that mixes well with the delicate chocolate and honey. Light yeast is apparent on the end, adding a rewarding fresh element to the beer which really makes the fresh tasting hops shine. I first thought, "A dark pils? What the hell is that??" And though Barry said it was just their name for their schwarzbier, I don’t feel like this one was much like the schwarzbiers I’ve had. Very delicate, much more attenuated and less roast and heavy chocolate driven than most I’ve had. What it does remind me of, is my first experience with schwarzbier, the charming Kostrizer. Texture is lightly fluffy, without being thin, while no alcohol is apparent and carbonation is medium.
Tried
on 16 Mar 2006
at 16:37
6.2/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 5
Texture 8
Overall 6
On draught 3/5/05 at the pub. Better than pale, light orange/copper color with a small white head. Not much happening in the nose, perhaps some light metallic notes, a bit of grains and dry lager yeast. Touch of hops. Flavor is very unremarkable, but at the same time, it’s quite drinkable for a standard "please-the-swill-drinkers" light beer. No harsh carbonation, some lightly toasted grain notes and some hints of minerals and light chalk. Not any real character or personality, but at least it wasnt too watery.
Tried
on 08 Mar 2005
at 17:04
6.2/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 5
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 6
On draught at the pub, 3/5/05. Thick, glucose-like golden-yellow colored beer, with a small white head and light lacing. Aroma of blood oranges, astringent lemon-peel and some spicy yeast. Flavor is much better than the aroma, or so I thought, with a big dose of belgian yeast up front, mixed with sweet, curacao liqueur, light candied peaches and finishing with a citrus and alcohol sharpness that really tells its strength. Warming, with a medium-full body, and a smooth, drinkable texture.
Tried
from Can
on 08 Mar 2005
at 16:58
7.1/10
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Appearance 10
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
On cask 3/5/05 with Barry at the pub. I was very excited to try a smoked beer on cask, never having had one before. Dark, milk chocolate brown pour with some dark tan hues swirling about. Completely opaque and very sediment rich. Good light tan head, creamy and fairly long-lasting. Aroma of lightly salty roast and dark chocolate. Some lactic notes as well. Not getting too much smoke in the nose yet. As I take a sip, the first thing I notice is a slightly watery body, with some dry roast and dark bitter coffee notes. I’m eased in to some smoked malt, with some sweet milk chocolate as well. As my palate gets used to the lighter than expected body, I come to enjoy the extreme drinkability of the beer. Lightly salty, wood smoke, hickory or what have you. Not thick bacon and fish or anything like that. Finishes rather watery and lightly sweet.
Tried
from Cask
on 08 Mar 2005
at 16:53
6.8/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7
Deep black porter with a thin moka head. Light peaty malt aroma and light chocolates. Dry chocolate with lactic notes and bitter finish. Didn’t detect much of the smoked notes remembered in the past, still a good porter.
Tried
on 16 Jan 2005
at 22:26
4.8/10
—
Appearance 4
Aroma 5
Flavor 6
Texture 4
Overall 4
Cherry cool-aid coloured beer with no head. Synthetic alco-pop with cheery donuts aroma. Tart sweet berries in mouth with little acidic poitns , but not much else. Ho-hum fruit beer.
Tried
on 16 Jan 2005
at 22:24
7/10
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Appearance 6
Aroma 8
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7
Hazy golden ale with a creamy white head, with nice lacings. Pungeant resinous hops in aroma. Chunks of citrus and grapefruits in mouth, with a good malt base. Rich bodied and pleasing.
Tried
on 16 Jan 2005
at 22:23
6/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6
Hazy red amber ale with a light caramel aroma. Bitter sweet malts with roasted nuts in mouth. Lingering bitterness, not overwhelming. Medium bodied.
Tried
on 16 Jan 2005
at 22:21